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Many of the dedicated students in Florence find ways to supplement their funds to keep up with the high cost of living that is a fact of life here. For a lucky and talented few, howeverthere is the perfect opportunity to convert their skills into much-needed cash. They are artists who have successfully applied for a weekly spot creating chalk and pastel drawings on Via Calimala. This is the age-old tradition of Madonnara.

Moflo caught up with Holly Manussis, part-time street artist, to see what it was all about.

Is it nerve-racking working in such a public position?

Very. For me, the pressure to perform well, because that is what we’re doing, performing, entertaining is huge. Half the battle is just actually starting, putting that first mark down. And knowing that thereafter you are open to criticism. I tend to forget the compliments and remember the “that ear’s not right”s.

How do you go about getting a weekly slot?

I heard through friends at my school about the street painting and thought it would be a great way to make some cash throughout the summer. Instead of working in some sweaty bar somewhere!!! I was put in touch with Claudio, the maestro, top-dog etc. who has been a Madonnari for about the same length of time as I’ve been alive, 18…25 years. I had to sign my life away and take responsibility for any accidents the lovely American tourist might have if they fell over my pastels and broke something.

Big time important is for all your things to be inside the little marked out metal square. Any stuff outside the square and you can have your permit permanently stopped. Some silly French artist had to pay out big bucks when someone tripped over their tip pots. Won’t do that again.

Whereas on the other hand when some arse drives over your painting, tip pots etc., you just have to look up and smile.

Did you receive any advice when you first started? Any to give?

Advice…you can draw anything but porn. Even though 80-90% of your customers will have been in galleries looking at scantily clad ladies all day I was told to stay clear of nudity on the street. Perhaps I should give it a try but I’ve never drawn breasts that large and don’t think I’m about to start now.

My fellow madonnari also mentioned the following:

1. Little tip pots should make a lovely ‘ting’ sounds, customers love it!

2. Start small, piano piano, big face, not too much detail

3. Get all your colours down before they put the street lights on because then all colours merge into one

4. Perfect skin tone combination: olive green, white, orange

5. Make sure you’re working with a pallet of no more than 12

6. Knee-pads and paracetamol the night before to stop you feeling like an old granny the next day

7. Baby wipes so as not to look like a chimney-sweep

8. Bikini!

Has this kind of work changed the way you approach a real canvas?

For me, the street painting is a way to relax and have fun, break away from my structured school course. Spending every day measuring naked people with a knitting needle. So, with street painting, I am able to transfer the skills I’m learning at school from canvas to pavement.

The passers-by find it strange that I’m drawing upside down, but like at school, you are training your eye to see shapes not ears or nostrils but cartoon characters or weird animal shapes.

Do you ever get attached to your pieces?

Having spent 12 hours or so on one piece, it is a little heart-wrenching to scrub the masterpiece off with a little water and elbow grease but hey, what can you do? Its just not the done thing to draw on paper. you don’t want to be the weird one, “Oh that’s that weird girl, looks like a chimney sweep and thinks she’s too good to do it on the pavement.”

However, I did have a bit of a Barney Rubble with an American lady who had right stroppy pants on because she couldn’t buy the piece and take it home with her!...

Have you ever had any disasters?

Disasters, not so much. Haven’t had my pieces rained on yet but many others have. Its just a case of how quickly can you get the plastic down and hope there’s no wee holes!

Whereas, when a 20-30 strong tourist group are heading your way, there’s not really that much you can do about it! Where one goes the others must follow! Hysterical! Sometimes, you’re too engrossed and don’t see them but the big footprints or tyre marks are always a dead give-away.

Do people ever make stupid comments?

“Do they make you do this?”

“So, you’re from Scotland. Cool. Where did you learn your English?”

“Can you not spray fixer on it so it won’t be washed away?”

“Who’s Mussolini?”

“Why haven’t you finished the ear / hand / arms yet?”

“You’ve touched my soul. This is it, you’re a real artist, out here doing it.”

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